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Details for: METRONIDAZOLE

Company: AA PHARMA INC

DIN DIN name Active Ingredient(s) Strength Dosage Form Route of Administration
00545066METRONIDAZOLEMETRONIDAZOLE250 MGTABLETORAL
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Consumer Information

This information was provided by the drug’s manufacturer when this drug product was approved for sale in Canada. It is designed for consumers and care givers. It is a summary of information about the drug and will not tell you everything about the drug. Contact your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions about the drug.

What the medication is used for

METRONIDAZOLE is used to treat infects that are caused by certain bacteria.
Antibacterial drugs like METRONIDAZOLE treat only bacterial infections. They do not treat viral infections.

What it does

METRONIDAZOLE works to:

  • Stop growth of bacteria.
  • Kill the bacteria.
  • Reduce the infection in your body.
When it should not be used

What the medicinal ingredient is

Tablets:
Medicinal: metronidazole


Capsules:
Medicinal: metronidazole

What the non-medicinal ingredients are

Tablets:
Non-medicinal: colloidal silicon dioxide, croscarmellose sodium, magnesium stearate and microcrystalline cellulose.


Capsules:
Non–medicinal: croscarmellose sodium, colloidal silicon dioxide and stearic acid. The capsule shell: gelatin, D&C red #33, D&C yellow #10, FD&C blue #1, FD&C green #3, talc and titanium dioxide. The edible ink: black iron oxide, shellac glaze, propylene glycol, FD&C blue #2, and FD&C red #40.

What dosage form it comes in

METRONIDAZOLE comes in the following dosage forms:


  • Metronidazole Tablets 250 mg
  • Metronidazole Capsules 500 mg
Warnings and precautions

Serious Warnings and Precautions

Do not use METRONIDAZOLE if:

  • you are allergic to metronidazole, nitroimidazoles (e.g. tinidazole) or any of the ingredients in METRONIDAZOLE (see What are ingredients in METRONIDAZOLE).
  • you have a disease of the nervous system.
  • you have a history of blood disease, hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid gland) or hypoadrenalism (underactive adrenal glands).

To help avoid side effects and ensure proper use, talk to your healthcare professional before you take METRONIDAZOLE. Talk about any health conditions or problems you may have, including if you:

  • are pregnant, think you are, or plan to get pregnant
  • are breastfeeding, or planning to breastfeed, as metronidazole is excreted in human breast milk.
  • have liver problems
  • have any blood disorder (e.g. leukemia, hemophilia, or other). Your doctor may order periodic blood tests.

Other warnings that you should know about:

You may feel dizzy or experience confusion while taking METRONIDAZOLE. Do not drive or operate heavy machinery if you experience any of these side effects.

Interactions with this medication

Tell your healthcare professional about all the medicines you take, including any drugs, vitamins, minerals, natural supplements or alternative medicines.

The following may interact with METRONIDAZOLE:

  • Corticosteroids – used to treat allergies, skin problems, asthma and arthritis
  • Disulfiram – used to treat alcoholism
  • Lithium – used as a psychiatric medication
  • Phenytoin – used to treat seizures
  • Phenobarbital – used to treat insomnia, anxiety or tension
  • Warfarin – a blood thinner used treat heart conditions
  • 5-fluorouracil - used to treat cancer

Do not drink alcohol while taking METRONIDAZOLE.
METRONIDAZOLE may interfere with certain medical tests. Tell your healthcare professional that you are taking METRONIDAZOLE if you are given a test.

Proper use of this medication

How to take METRONIDAZOLE:

  • Although you may feel better early in treatment, METRONIDAZOLE should be used exactly as directed.
  • Misuse or overuse of METRONIDAZOLE could lead to the growth of bacteria that will not be killed by METRONIDAZOLE (resistance). This means that METRONIDAZOLE may not work for you in the future.
  • Do not share your medicine.


Usual Dose

Your doctor will decide how much METRONIDAZOLE you should take depending on the type of infection you have. The usual dose is 250 mg - 500 mg every 8 – 12 hours for 5 – 7 days.



Overdose

If you think you have taken too much METRONIDAZOLE, contact your healthcare professional, hospital emergency department or regional poison control centre immediately, even if there are no symptoms.



Missed Dose

If you forget to take METRONIDAZOLE, take them as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose. Do not use a double dose to make up for a forgotten dose.

Side effects and what to do about them

What are possible side effects from using METRONIDAZOLE?
Like all medicines, METRONIDAZOLE can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.
These side effects may include:

  • Unpleasant taste in the mouth
  • Dry mouth
  • Furred tongue
  • Chest pain
  • Feeling sick (nausea), being sick (vomiting), upset stomach, stomach pain or diarrhea
  • Noise such as buzzing, ringing, or whistling heard in the ear.
  • Loss of appetite
  • Vaginal dryness or burning

Serious side effects, how often they happen and what to do about them
Symptom / effect Talk to your healthcare professional only if severe Talk to your healthcare professional in all cases Stop taking drug and get immediate medical help
Allergic reaction with symptoms such as swelling of the mouth, throat, hands, difficulty in breathing or swallowing, itching, rash, red spots and blisters    
Liver problems including cases of liver failure with symptoms such as intense fatigue, yellowing of the skin and eyes, dark urine, abdominal pain.    
Nervous system problems with symptoms such as inability to coordinate voluntary movements, problems using your arms and legs, problems with speaking or feel confused, convulsions, tingling sensation on the skin, stiff neck associated with headache, extreme sensitivity to bright light    
Pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas) with symptoms such as severe abdominal pain which may reach through to your back, especially associated with nausea, vomiting and fatigue.    
Problems with your eyesight such as blurred or double vision    
Feeling depressed    
Pain in eyes    
Mental problems such as feeling confused and seeing or hearing things that are not there (hallucinations)    
Numbness, tingling, pain, or a feeling of weakness, in the arms or legs    
Hearing loss    

If you have a troublesome symptom or side effect that is not listed here or becomes bad enough to interfere with your daily activities, talk to your healthcare professional.

How to store

Reporting side effects

You can report any suspected side effects associated with the use of health products to Health Canada by

NOTE: Contact your health professional if you need information about how to manage your side effects. The Canada Vigilance Program does not provide medical advice

More information

Read this carefully before you start taking METRONIDAZOLE and each time you get a refill. This leaflet is a summary and will not tell you everything about this drug. Talk to your healthcare professional about your medical condition and treatment and ask if there is any new information about METRONIDAZOLE.


If you want more information about METRONIDAZOLE:


All registered trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

This leaflet was prepared by AA Pharma Inc.
Last revised: January 11, 2019

Date modified: